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Spacing @ removable guards

G

glzath

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Wadsworth, Ohio
I have a condition on an industrial project (F-2) that will require a section of a guard to be removable. The facility definitely falls under 1013.3 exception 3 (2009). What would the allowable spacing be for the gap between the removable section vertical and the adjacent fixed section vertical?From the exception, it appears that if it was spaced at 20" it would meet the 21" sphere requirement, but this just doesn't seem too safe. Checking OSHA, they don't really cover it, either. There is a requirement for guarding of a wall opening (opening = at least 30" high and 18" wide), but here again, even an 18" gap doesn't seem to cut it.My initial thought would be to make it 4", but it would be nice to have some sort of citation to back it up.

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GUARD. A building component or a system of building components

located at or near the open sides of elevated walking

surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking

surface to a lower level.

also if you check the commentary I believe there are some drawings related to this issue, sorry I don have mine with me
 
Might not be the safest route, "guards shall not have openings which allow passage of a sphere 21 inches (533 mm) in diameter." is pretty clear to me, I don't think you have any room to argue it.

Like I said, I agree that a horizontal opening up to 20 15/16" would not be safe at all in my opinion, but it is what the code says.
 
"Exceptions 3 and 4 address areas where the presence of small children is unlikely and often prohibited. Guards along walkways leading to electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems or equipment and in occupancies in Groups I-3, F, H and S may be constructed in such a way that a sphere 21 inches (533 mm) in diameter will not pass through any of the openings [see Figure 1013.3(1)]. This requirement allows the use of one horizontal intermediate member with the standard guard height of 42 inches (1067 mm)."

http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ibc/2009f2cc/icod_ibc_2009f2cc_10_sec013.htm?bu2=undefined
 
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Depending on how the top rail is attached to meet the load requirements the maximum of less than 4-inch gap could be a design option.

See photo in link provided above.
 
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What are you guarding? Why does a section need to be removable? How often will it be removed? These I will have an impact on what you use. Personally, in an industrial environment the most common I've seen were those mentioned earlier with a rail at 42" in an additional 1 half way between it and the floor.
 
I am not sure why everyone has a problem with 21" sphere rule.

OSHA tracks all injuries with a fine tooth comb and find no need for more.

If there was an issue, then reduction would have been done long ago.

The code is simple on this, (F) Use group 21" sphere.

As to being removable, unless the guard is welded in place or grouted in place, then you are looking at either bolted or screwed in place and both of them are technically removable.

It's not about being removable or not, its about being installed meeting the requirements of height, openings and loads, if it's good, it's good, don't over think it.

Tom
 
The guard at 42" should be continuous....as in one piece. Understandably, not in form but certainly in function. The 21" sphere is applied to any space below, or part of, the guard.

The gap between guard segments is a space that lacks a guard. The code doesn't state that there can be 21" gaps in the guard. The code states that a 21" sphere shall not pass through the guard. There has to be a guard in order to apply that code.

Thinking of the way a guard functions, two common actions take place. A person would impact the guard with their hip or they would grab the guard with their hand. The hand and it's digits being the smaller of the two limits the gap to 1/4".

Maybe it is a California thing but my code has wording that indicates that "guard" and "guardrail" are synonymous.

GUARD or GUARDRAIL). A building component or a system of building components located at or near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from the walking surface to a lower level.
Click to expand...
There I go...over thinking again. Say what? Such a nobrainer. Is that Spanish? Oh that's no es bueno.
 
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